740.00118 European War 1939/66: Telegram
The Minister in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 19—5:40 p.m.]
28. Colonel Donovan has been here for the past 3 days. He has been staying with the British Minister11a but I have presented him to the King and the Premier and he has kept me fully informed of his conversations with them and with the British authorities. In a short time he has acquired a remarkably full and clear conception of the situation here, particularly as regards the question of future Anglo-Greek cooperation in this region, and I am glad to report that he has successfully impressed the Greek leaders with the seriousness of America’s [Page 639] intention to back up the democracies and the overwhelming support being given to the leadership of President Roosevelt in this matter.
Colonel Donovan is leaving for Sofia today and will proceed thence to Belgrade because of the belief of the British Minister and military authorities here in which I concur that his visit to those capitals, if it is to realize its full possibilities, should not be delayed, but he plans to return here for a trip to the Albanian front before going on to Turkey.
Following the despatch of my telegram number 26 of yesterday the Premier has informed Colonel Donovan that he is now “sure” the Germans will come south and the latter expects developments by March 1 on present indications. General Metaxas has consented not only to allow British reconnaissance of the north of Greece but has agreed to and even advised the preparation of a British expedition to Salonika to be put in motion the instant the Germans cross the Danube. In this connection the British Ambassador at Moscow11b has reported to his Government according to information received by the British Legation here that it is becoming less and less likely that Russia will interfere with such a German move in the belief that it would be aimed rather against British than Soviet interests.